How can I get a Westlake Recreation Center Membership Card?
Please take a look at our Rec. Center Info Page and be sure to ask the head coach for more details on how to get your swimmer in the pool.
AM I GOOD ENOUGH TO SWIM WITH THE WAVES?
Probably, come give the team a try and let the coaches evaluate where you are at with your swimming progress. Measure your abilities and progress with yourself not anyone else. We don't expect anyone to start as an expert swimmer in all strokes, but you do have to know how to swim. If you have had summer team experience, finished level 5 lessons, a good athlete with some swimming skills, or want to give it a try just because. Stop by practice and let the Waves coaches watch you swim. Everyone starts sometime, then they come to practice, work hard and then everyone gets better. It can be that simple. It is all up to you. If you ask a student how long did it take them to learn how to read, most will say a year or two, or second grade etc. Then why do they have language arts in high school?, because you learn to read your whole life. Swimming, like any skill, takes time, takes hard work, takes brains, takes patience, takes discipline, takes heart.
Try the Waves, you will like what it does for you.
HOW MANY PRACTICES DO I HAVE TO GO TO EVERY WEEK?
That's up to you. We want you to want to be thereThe Waves have up to 6 practices each week to allow you to fit your swimming work outs in to your schedule. Like everyone's, your schedule is crazy, busy with homework, piano, dancing, cross country, vacation to Mount Rushmore, walking your turtle, chores (ha-ha), rock climbing, baby sitting, volleyball, choir, and of course you can't miss SpongeBob. The more you practice the better swimmer you can be, the more physically fit you can be, and the faster you climb the ladder of competition. Generally, 3-4 times a week is reasonable for most. Good high school and other determined swimmers 5-6 times a week, younger, newer, busier swimmers 2-3 times a week. Print out he Waves calendar and write out what days you are coming to practice, have a plan for success.
Make a plan, stick to it, and it will work great.
WHERE & WHEN ARE THE MEETS, & HOW DO THEY WORK?
The meets are held on the weekends, one or two per month, at various pools around the area. The meets are highly encouraged, as a good test for what you are learning. In swimming, there is the most fun and excitement in the good friendly competition. The swim meets build the desire to push for higher goals and feed swimmers self-esteem. We encourage and strive to have every swimmer swim fast enough to win races but more importantly, to improve themselves. The swimmer who comes in last but knocks 3 seconds off their time or finally really nailed that dive or turn can feel good about their efforts. There are additional costs to enter meets, generally around $3 per event and 3-5 events per day. Teams in northeast Ohio host meets as fundraisers for their clubs, they are a great deal of work. The meets are well run and enjoyable for the swimmers and the spectators with the proper preparation.
The more you know about swimming, the more exciting the meets. 
WHEN CAN I JOIN THE WAVES?
Any time, especially today! We have two competition seasons, Short course - September to March in 25 yard pools and Long course April to August in 50 meter pools. While the beginning of each season is the best to receive the full lesson/training plan, we have people starting all the time. Many times throughout the year are the right time for different swimmers; when people are new to the area, after fall sports, after finishing a swim lesson program, a friend tells you how much fun they have with the Waves, or you decide to work hard making yourself better, these are all good times to start. We have had 5 and 6 year olds start, even a high school senior start and everyone in between. They have all gotten better. We can prorate the fees depending on the situation. Give it a try.
WHY OR WHAT ARE THE BIG TIME WESTLAKE WAVE BENEFITS?
- It is a lot of fun working hard and competing with friends.
- Everyone is usually smiling after practice, tired but it feels good.
- Great physical shape and a skill you can use to stay that way. It is the start of a healthy lifestyle.
- Great self esteem growth (it does not come from winning, it comes from getting better!)
- Learn time management skills (time for your meets, practice, dryland, homework,
friends, activities and free time).
- You will be one of the best swimmers of your school.
- You will have a strong lifelong skill that never goes away and can save your life.
- Learning how to win, learning how to lose, how to learn, grow and get better from either.
- Being part of a growing swimming community in youe city, county, state and the USA.
- Being big time swimmers in high school or on our awesome middle school team.
(If you talk to any one who swam in high school they will all say swimming was the best
part of school.)
